One Second

Ashley Moss- Driver’s Education Personal Statement- “One Second”

The first time I was affected by driver’s safety was during the summer. My friend and I were stopped at a light on a highway waiting to turn when we heard a screeching sound and a loud thud next to my car. Both of us were confused as to what was happening as people got out of their cars and started swarming mine. I rolled down my window and was told a man on a motorcycle had slid out of control and was unconscious underneath my car. When he regained consciousness, he was distraught and did not know where he was. But, after a few minutes, he was back to normal. Had he not been wearing a helmet, his injuries would have been much worse because of how hard he hit the ground. The experience helped me realize how one mistake while driving could have serious consequences. Being so close to the accident led me to be a more cautious and focused driver.

There are many ways to increase safety when driving. First, you must always be aware of the cars around you. Being aware means you will be more likely to notice when a car doesn't see you in their blind spot or starts to veer into your lane. One of the easiest ways to prevent accidents is to focus while driving. Specifically, not looking at your phone while driving. Even if you just need to change a song, switching the song can wait until you are stopped because nothing is worth losing your life. Another way to decrease the likelihood of accidents while driving is to require all new drivers take a drivers ed class and to make the class affordable to all. Due to budget cuts, many public schools have been forced to cancel their drivers ed programs. The result is families either have to pay up to $350 or more for a private class, or parents have to teach their children on their own which doesn't help them learn proper driving techniques. With professional drivers ed class, you receive a full day of education from a teacher. A test is given at the end of the class to make sure you retained the knowledge. After the class, you get actual driving time with a trained instructor to teach you the proper way to drive and how to drive safely.

I recommend all people be required to take a drivers ed course, for their safety and for the safety of others. In one second lives can be changed forever by a bad decision. Looking down at your phone or being distracted for one second can ruin your life. Drivers ed is extremely important in teaching safe driving techniques. Without safe driving habits, the already high number of traffic deaths will only increase.